UEW must be free from victimization – Afenyo Markin

General News on Friday, April 12, 2019

Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

2019-04-12

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Member of the European Parliament, said he was disappointed by allegations that his office would interfere in the affairs of the University of Education Winneba (UEW).

The second legislator's term has been at the center of UEW's recent developments, which led to the war against what he described as the injustice perpetrated by the administration of the dismissed vice-chancellor (VC), Professor Mawutor Avoke.

He also rose against him under the leadership of the current VC, Reverend Anthony Afful-Broni, whose administration fired about 32 school staff, including lecturers, for "unjustifiable" reasons.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament last Friday, Afenyo-Markin said his ongoing involvement in UEW affairs in his constituency was to allow him to function properly, without victimization.

"I am a little disappointed when people say that my office is involved in university affairs. It can not be, "he said," it is our duty to mother Ghana and the universities to ensure that the right things are done. "

"If we let things degenerate, [under the guise of academic freedom and autonomy] one day he will come back and haunt us all. What was wrong yesterday remains false today and will remain so tomorrow. "

The STE Council of Governors in a statement issued and signed by its chairman, Professor Emmanuel Nicholas Abakah, stated that the Council had reviewed the disciplinary measures taken against the trio – Professor Ephraim Avea Nsoh, Dr Frimpong Kaakyire Duku and Dr. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong.

"Reconciliation should not be done in a way that does not give a positive impression. Dr. Bekoe is supposed to be reinstated. I do not see why Bekoe should be left out. I do not see why Agbeshi should stay at home in suspension. I do not see why Dr. Duku would be reinstated and others left out. I'm waiting for the right thing to be done, "he said.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the "six-person gang", consisting of Professor Avoke and five other administrative staff, was supposed to be compensated for "wrongful dismissal", but that was not the case.

"I've taken a stand that if the vice-chancellor can not demonstrate his ability to come to terms, there is no point in it being there. We all trusted him, we all trusted his vision of the university and that is why, when he addressed a petition to my office, I tackled the issue. " , he said.

On the way forward, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said that if the problems were resolved properly, the speakers, students and workers would be ready and willing to work with the VC.